Financial analysts are in demand across many industries. Companies rely on experienced financial analysts to support business growth by identifying trends in financial data and helping senior management make informed decisions.

The size of the company influences starting salaries for financial analysts. The larger the company, the more money analysts tend to make. A financial analyst with less than a year of experience at a small company can expect a starting salary in the range of $45,250 to $53,750, according to the latest Robert Half Salary Guide. The projected starting salary for a financial analyst in a mid-sized company with one to three years of experience is between $58,000 to $76,000. Salaries for financial analysts at the manager level can be anywhere from $77,250 to $99,250 at a small company, to $88,000 to $118,000 at a midsize company, and $99,500 to $136,500 at a large company.

Besides company size, education can improve a financial analyst's earning potential. Analysts with a master’s degree or professional certification earn five to 10 percent more than their bachelor-degreed counterparts, according to the Robert Half survey.

A company's location also affects starting salaries for financial analysts. For example, in Chicago, starting salaries are almost 22 percent higher than average. On the other end of the spectrum, financial analysts in Lincoln, Nebraska, earn close to 22 percent less than the average. In the USA’s epicentre of finance, New York, a successful financial analyst can look to earn a
salary of over $100,000 within a short time. Furthermore, bonuses may be rewarded to
financial analysts if their work proves to be fruitful for a company or client. These bonuses
are at the behest of the individual companies.

While the money you could make as a financial analyst is highly attractive, it is a very demanding job, requiring a high level of mental acumen and risk management. Stressful situations are par for the course in this field, but if earning lots of money and dealing with lots of money excites you, this is a potential avenue you could pursue.